The Christmas Song Written and Released by Band Aid to Help Feed the World
In late 1984 Irish singer Bob Geldof watched a BBC report on the famine in Ethiopia. He was so affected that along with Midge Ure they wrote and organized the recording of a pop record to increase awareness of the famine and to raise money.
Do They Know It's Christmas became the fastest selling single in UK history debuting at Number 1 and staying at Number 1 for five weeks. Ultimately sold more than three million copies and raised over £8 million ($16 million) worldwide in funds for emergency aid to Ethiopia.
Since the original recording in 1984, several other versions of Do They Know It's Christmas have been re-recorded and released, including Band Aid 20 commemorating the 20th anniversary of this musical groundbreaking song.
Whenever I hear this song, not only am I transported back to the mid 1980's, but I am once again reminded of the purpose and the mission of Band Aid - to Feed the World and Let them know it's Christmas time again.
Image Source: Children from Do They Know It's Christmas? cover art.
Do They Know It's Christmas Videos
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Do They Know Its Christmas on Wikipedia
"'Do They Know Its Christmas?'" is a song written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in 1984 specifically to raise money for relief of 1984?1985 famine in Ethiopia. The original version was produced by Midge Ure, and released by Band Aid on December 3 1984.Interview with Midge Ure and Bob Geldof, featuring Ures original demo
In late 1984, a BBC report by Michael Buerk was aired highlighting the famine that had hit the people of Ethiopia. Irish singer Bob Geldof had seen the report and was moved so much that he decided that a pop record should be used to further increase awareness of the famine and to raise money. Aware that he could do little on his own, he called Midge Ure from Ultravox and toge...
A Documentary on Band Aid 1984 on YouTube
Sir Bob Geldof's Website
- The Official Bob Geldof Website
- Website for Bob Geldof, organizer of Band Aid and Live Aid.
Band Aid Performers
Do They Know It's Christmas? was released November 29, 1984 and immediately debuted at Number One in Great Britain.Two weeks later it was Number One on the American charts.
The original Band Aid ensemble consisted of many of the top recording acts of the day. They are listed in the order they appear on the sleeve:
- Adam Clayton (U2)
Phil Collins (Genesis, solo)
Bob Geldof (Boomtown Rats)
Steve Norman (Spandau Ballet)
Chris Cross (Ultravox)
John Taylor (Duran Duran)
Paul Young
Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet)
Glenn Gregory (Heaven 17)
Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran)
Simon Crowe (Boomtown Rats)
Marilyn
Keren Woodward (Bananarama)
Martin Kemp (Spandau Ballet)
Jody Watley (Shalamar)
Bono (U2)
Paul Weller (The Style Council)
James "J.T." Taylor (Kool & The Gang)
George Michael (Wham!)
Midge Ure (Ultravox)
Martyn Ware (Heaven 17)
John Keeble (Spandau Ballet)
Gary Kemp (Spandau Ballet)
Roger Taylor (Duran Duran)
Sarah Dallin (Bananarama)
Siobhan Fahey (Bananarama)
Pete Briquette (Boomtown Rats)
Francis Rossi (Status Quo)
Robert 'Kool' Bell (Kool & The Gang)
Dennis J. T. Thomas (Kool & The Gang)
Andy Taylor (Duran Duran)
Jon Moss (Culture Club)
Sting (Former member of The Police)
Rick Parfitt (Status Quo)
Nick Rhodes (Duran Duran)
Johnny Fingers (Boomtown Rats)
David Bowie
Boy George (Culture Club)
Holly Johnson (Frankie Goes to Hollywood)
Paul McCartney (Former member of The Beatles)
Stuart Adamson (Big Country)
Bruce Watson (Big Country)
Tony Butler (Big Country)
Mark Brzezicki (Big Country)
Do They Know It's Christmas MP3's Downloads on Amazon
Making of Do They Know It's Christmas on YouTube
Do They Know It's Christmas? Lyrics
- * Paul Young *
It's Christmas time
There's no need to be afraid
At Christmas time
We let in light and we banish shade
* Boy George *
And in our world of plenty
We can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world
At Christmas time
The Band Aid Story on YouTube
Do They Know It's Christmas? Lyrics
- * George Michael *
But say a prayer
Pray for the other ones
At Christmas time it's hard
* Simon LeBon *
But when you're having fun
There's a world outside your window
* Sting *
And it's a world of dread and fear
Where the only water flowing is
* Sting + Bono *
The bitter sting of tears
And the Christmas bells that are ringing
Are clanging chimes of doom
* Bono Solo *
Well, tonight thank God it's them instead of you.
Band AID performing Do They Know It's Christmas? on Live AID
During LiveAid more than 60 of the biggest stars in rock music performed.
As a result over 100 million pounds (200 million dollars) was raised for African famine relief.
Band Aid - Do They Know It´s Christmas? (Live)
Band Aid Live in 1985.
Runtime: 4:36
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Live Aid Available on Amazon
Squidoo Video Showcase on Live Aid
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Live Aid Video Showcase
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On July 13, 1985 Bob Geldof and Midge Ure organized one of the most memorable nights in music history to benefit Ethiopia. I was 15 and rememeber being glued to the TV. Here are the performers that made it happen! The proceeds from this lens go to Act...
Do They Know It's Christmas on eBay
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Do They Know It's Christmas? Lyrics
- * Everyone *
And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time.
The greatest gift they'll get this year is life
Where nothing ever grows
No rain or rivers flow
Do they know it's Christmas time at all?
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time
Feed the world
Do they know it's Christmas time at all?
Band Aid II - Do They Know It's Christmas '89 on YouTube
Band Aid II - 1989
Band Aid II was released in 1989. This version was produced by British songwriting and production team Stock Aitken Waterman. Do They Know It's Christmas stayed at number one for three weeks in the UK Singles Chart.Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward of Bananarama were the only artists from the original Band Aid that were featured again on the second version.
- Mary, Audrey & Roger Taylor
Bananarama
Big Fun
Bros
Cathy Dennis
D Mob
Jason Donovan
Kevin Godley
Glen Goldsmith
Kylie Minogue
The Pasadenas
Chris Rea
Cliff Richard
Jimmy Somerville
Sonia
Lisa Stansfield
Technotronic
Wet Wet Wet
Band Aid II Available on eBay
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Do They Know It's Christmas with the TV Allstars - 2003
TV Allstars was a benefit project featuring German Pop Singers done for Christmas 2003.Proceeds from the 2003 version of "Do They Know It's Christmas" benefited the German organization SOS-Kinderdörfer weltweit (SOS Children's Villages worldwide), http://www.sos-kinderdoerfer.de.
The song reached #3 on the German Charts; the album #4.
TV Allstars consisted of artists who had been discovered though various television programs including Popstars, Deutschland sucht den Superstar and Star Search.
- No Angels
Bro'Sis
Preluders
Overground
Martin Kesici
Thomas Wohlfahrt
Michael Wurst
Nektarios Bamiatzis
Fabrizio
Stefanie Krämer
Daniel Siegert
Lil'O
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This version features Chris Martin of Coldplay, Bono of U2, Paul McCartney of The Beatles, Robbie Williams, Danny Goffey of Supergrass, Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead, Francis Healy of Travis, Justin and Dan Hawkins of The Darkness, Daniel Bedingfield, Natasha Bedingfield, Sugababes, Vishal Das, Busted, Dido, Dizzee Rascal, Ms Dynamite, Estelle, Neil Hannon, Jamelia, Tom Chaplin of Keane, Tim Rice-Oxley of Keane, Beverley Knight, Lemar,Shaznay Lewis,Katie Melua, Roisin Murphy, Feeder, Snow Patrol, Rachel Stevens, Joss Stone, The Thrills and Turin Brakes.
BandAid 20 Participants
A new recording of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure was released on 29 November 2004, with all money raised going toward famine relief in the Darfur region of Sudan.The final line-up of artists on Band Aid 20 reads like a who's who of contemporary British Rock, Pop and R&B. Performers include:
- Bono (U2)
Fran Healy (Travis)
Daniel Bedingfield
Natasha Bedingfield
Sugababes
Vishal Das
Busted
Chris Martin (Coldplay)
Dido - performed separately from a studio in Melbourne
Dizzee Rascal - the only artist to add lyrics to the song
Ms Dynamite
Skye Edwards (Morcheeba)
Estelle
Neil Hannon (The Divine Comedy)
Jamelia
Justin Hawkins
Tom Chaplin (Keane)
Tim Rice-Oxley (Keane)
Beverley Knight
Lemar
Shaznay Lewis (All Saints)
Katie Melua
Róisín Murphy (Moloko)
Feeder
Snow Patrol
Rachel Stevens
Joss Stone
The Thrills
Turin Brakes
Robbie Williams - performed separately from a studio in Los Angeles
Will Young
More on BandAid 20 on YouTube
Wes Butters discussing Band Aid 20
Wes Butters discusses Band Aid 20 on News 24
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Band Aid 20 Available on Amazon
Do They Know It's Christmas
From Band Aid 20, a re-recorded version of the 1984 Christmas Classic.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)
Do They Know It's Christmas? Lyrics
- * Paul Young *
Here's to you
raise a glass for everyone
Here's to them
underneath that burning sun
Do they know it's Christmas time at all?
* Everyone *
Feed the world
Feed the world
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time again
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time again
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time again
Band Aid 20 Website and Downloads
- ::: BAND AID 20 :::
- Main Band Aid 20 Website with additional information about the project.
- Band Aid 20 Available for Download from 7 Digital
- Download the track and video here as well as a special 2-track version featuring the original Band Aid version.
Band Aid 20 Available on eBay
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babyfang's favorite christmas songs
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It's supposed to be a short list. I had a very hard time narrowing it down to ten. There's still plenty of time for me to explode this list to overwhelming proportions. I'm not that big on decorating. I can take or leave that part of the season. But...
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Do They Know It's Christmas? - Band Aid
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On November 25th 1984, dozens of British and Irish rockers arrived at SARM West studio in London to record a single track. The result? One incredible song and 14 million dollars to help feed the people of Ethiopia.
Your Feedback on the Do They Know It's Christmas Lens
Your place for comments, stories and suggestions
Have you heard "Do They Know It's Christmas" before?
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KimGiancaterino
Beautiful! A fine addition to the Help Africa Group. Posted December 05, 2007 |
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rms
Brings back so many memories. Thank you for another fantastic addition to the Best Christmas Ever Group. Posted December 04, 2007 |
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